Foundation that aims to promote Ukraine in the Netherlands

#Babylon ‘13

#Babylon ‘13 director to present the award-winning Cinema of Civil Protest in The Hague on 21 May

When the former president of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, refused to sign an association agreement with the EU in November 2013, the first protesters took to the streets of Kyiv. In the months that followed, the demonstrations grew, as did the violence against those gathered on Maidan. Yanukovych finally fled Ukraine in February 2014, under mounting pressure due to public outrage at the deadly confrontations in Kyiv. It was a surprising yet long-awaited victory. Yet, bigger surprises were still to come: the annexation of Crimea, separatism in Eastern Ukraine and “war” with Russia. The historic events that unfoldedon Maidan were quickly followed by those now changing the course not only of Ukraine’s history but quite possibly Europe – and the world.

Following enthusiastic reception in New York, Toronto, Oslo and Amsterdam, The Hague is next to host #babylon ´13 – Cinema of Civil Protest. #Babylon ’13 is a collective of Ukrainian filmmakers who have documented the recent uprising in Kyiv, the annexation of Crimea and separatism in Eastern Ukraine. Eyewitness Cristian Jereghi – in the Netherlands to promote BOB (Best of Online Activism) winner #babylon ’13 as one of its directors – will be on hand to screen and discuss 15 documentary shorts. These films capture the Ukrainian revolution from the perspective of protesters, separatists and soldiers, among others – those who are shaping Ukraine’s destiny and writing the next chapter of its history.

SPECIAL GUESTS
Cristian Jereghi, #babylon ’13 director
Olexander Horin, Ukrainian Ambassador to the Netherlands
Laura Starink, expert on Eastern Europe and Russia, journalist, former correspondent for NRC Handelsblad in Moscow, author of two books about Russia, “A Land of Hearsay” and “The Russian Hangover”, and correspondent of recent events in Crimea, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Odessa.

TICKETS
€9 (including one complimentary beverage and snacks) available online and at the door

IN ADDITION
Photo exhibition by Kateryna Snizhko
Reception with local food
Music mix by DJ Kate Orange